“Speaking with a CAN volunteer was a relief in many ways. I was able to discuss many thing I felt only a recipient would know – things that maybe a doctor might not have a true appreciation of”
Lyn Gill, Cochlear implant recipient and CAN volunteer
Connect to a volunteer
Talk via email to someone who uses a cochlear implant or Baha:
- Search the list of Cochlear Awareness Network volunteers below
- Click on ‘Connect’ to start an e-mail conversation
- The relationship between you and the volunteer is private and confidential
Talk to someone who has a Cochlear implant
Michael
Location: Dunedin, NZ
Implant: Cochlear implant
Received implant at age: 55
Why? Late onset deafness
Connect
Between the ages of 40 and 55 I lost my hearing, my job, my confidence and a lot of friends. I became isolated, at times moody and depressed and looked to the future with dread... Read more »
Carol
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Implant: Cochlear implant
Received implant at age: 43
Why? Deaf from early childhood
Connect
I would like to share the story of my journey from silence, back to the world of sound - thanks to Cochlear... Read more »
Chris B.
Location: Darwin, NT
Implant: Cochlear implant
Received implant at age: 40
Why? Born Deaf
Connect
I have now been given the greatest gift of all - "The Gift of Hearing" and I would love to share with you my journey through life of living with a profound hearing loss and how receiving my Cochlear Implant has allowed me to experience a whole new world of sound... Read more »
Felicity
Location: Adelaide, SA
Implant: Cochlear implant (bilateral)
Received implant at age: 52 & 58
Why? Childhood hearing loss (Measles)
Connect
My deafness was first diagnosed at 16, but I did not believe it. I left school, started work and went to college where I studied Applied Arts teaching with piano performance. Music was a big part of my life... Read more »
Robyn
Location: Marlborough, NZ
Implant: Cochlear implant
Received implant at age: 32
Why? Deaf from early childhood
Connect
Robyn became deaf as a child. Many years later in life, her condition ensured she couldn't hear her baby cry and she struggled for recognition at work... Read more »
Karen
Location: Newcastle, NSW
Implant: Cochlear implant
Received implant at age: 45
Why? Hearing loss cause unconfirmed
Connect
I'd like to share with you my story of life as a hearing impaired person but how different it is now since my cochlear implant... Read more »
Jeff F.
Location: Perth, WA
Implant: Cochlear implant (bilateral)
Received implant at age: 62
Why? Industrial deafness
Connect
"My hearing loss started when I was in my late 20's due to bone growth (otosclerosis) and continued when the nerves in my cochlea began to die... Read more »
Annette
Location: Noosa, QLD
Implant: Cochlear implant
Received implant at age: 34
Why? Deaf from early childhood
Connect
Annette Gilmore-Scott was diagnosed with a severe sensorineural loss at 18 months of age. This is her story... Read more »
Ray
Location: Tamworth, NSW
Implant: Cochlear implant (bilateral)
Received implant at age: 56 & 57
Why? Progressive hearing loss
Connect
I suffered from a progressive and gradual sensorineural loss of hearing. At school and during university it was always necessary for me to sit near the front of the classroom or lecture hall in order to hear well... Read more »
Peter
Location:Central Coast, NSW
Implant: Cochlear implant (bilateral)
Received implant at age: 64
Why? Childhood single sided deafness then bilateral hearing loss in adulthood
Connect
Way back in 1950 I was diagnosed by a Macquarie Street specialist to have single sided deafness. Life went on and with one good ear I finished high school and university... Read more »
George
Location: Canberra, ACT
Implant: Cochlear implant (bilateral)
Received implant at age: 47 & 62
Why? Genetic - family history
Connect
George lost his hearing as a baby and doctors denounced him as mentally retarded because of his hearing loss. However, they were proven wrong and George succeeded in his studies and his career as a veterinarian... Read more »
Jennie
Location: Peregian Springs, QLD
Implant: Cochlear implant
Received implant at age: 62
Why? Genetic - family history
Connect
Twenty years ago, Jennie Perry Smith of Peregian Springs, Qld, was an influential corporate high flyer at the peak of her career. She was the Executive Director of the Information Policy Board for the Queensland Government... Read more »
Bob R.
Location: Wollongong, NSW
Implant: Cochlear implant (bilateral)
Received implant at age: 62 & 63
Why? Industrial deafness
Connect
I was born in Wollongong in 1946 and enjoyed an extremely healthy and playful childhood. At 19 I joined the Armed Forces, passing the rigorous medical, and was posted to the Royal Australian Artillery Corp... Read more »
Alistair
Location: Canberra, ACT
Implant: Cochlear implant (bilateral)
Received implant at age: 59 & 63
Why? Ear infections
Connect
For as long as I can remember, right through to the present time, I have been troubled with middle ear infections, particularly in my left ear... Read more »
Peter T
Location: Auckland, NZ
Implant: Cochlear implant
Received implant at age: 56 & 57
Why? Ototoxic drugs
Connect
Peter had the world at his feet. He was at the pinnacle of his International Horse Training Career. And then he fell sick... Read more »
Chris
Location: Adelaide, SA
Implant: Cochlear implant (+ hearing aid)
Received implant at age: 69
Why? Hearing loss cause unconfirmed
Connect
"When I was 21, I graduated from University as an Electronic Engineer. My first job was in an Acoustic Laboratory designing hearing aids... Read more »
Les
Location: Georgia (Northern Rivers), NSW
Implant: Cochlear implant
Received implant at age: 59
Why? Hearing loss cause unconfirmed
Connect
For the first 40 years of my life I had good normal hearing and never thought anything more about it. But in 1997 I started missing things and saying "pardon" a lot more... Read more »
Jeff W.
Location: Adelaide, SA
Implant: Cochlear implant (bilateral)
Received implant at age: 56 & 65
Why? Genetic - family history
Connect
I would like to share with you my journey through life being hearing impaired and now my new life as a recipient of bilateral Freedom cochlear implants... Read more »
Talk to someone who has a Baha implant
Kelly
Location: Sydney, NSW
Implant: Baha
Received implant at age: 26
Why? Ear infections
Connect
I grew up fit and healthy and was encouraged to take advantage of all the opportunities available. In 1998 I completed high school and joined the Royal Australian Navy... Read more »
Bob W.
Location: Mt Warrigal, NSW
Implant: Baha
Received implant at age: 67
Why? Single sided deafness
Connect
It was 1954 and I was 10 years old. I woke up one morning and couldn't hear from my left ear. Many doctors' visits followed with the conclusion that I was deaf in one ear and nothing could be done about it... Read more »
Please make the match for me!
If you would prefer to be matched to a volunteer, Cochlear can help arrange this. Contact us to make the request
E-mail: customerservice@cochlear.com
Telephone Australia: 1800 620 929
Telephone New Zealand: 0800 444 819
Once you have been matched with a volunteer, the relationship between you and the volunteer is private and confidential.
It is important to remember that CAN volunteers are not trained health professionals. They can share their experience as a user, but are not able to answer medical questions or tell you if you or your child is suitable for a cochlear implant or Baha. Please contact your hearing health professional for answers to medial questions. Use our clinic finder to find a Baha or cochlear implant clinic near you.
